IndyBlog

Help a local grocery get off the ground

Locally grown food has become a big trend here and elsewhere, so if you're looking for a chance to get involved in helping that type of enterprise, here's your chance.

A group of people are forming Local First Grocery co-op and need help for start-up inventory and other expenses. It's all explained in this news release:

Local First Grocer, a co-op focusing on locally-sourced Colorado groceries, announces the launch of their Kickstarter Campaign that seeks to raise $17,000 needed for startup inventory, equipment and build-out. Founders Elise Rothman and Luke Cissell, in partnership with the Board of Directors including Lily Kempf, Harry Greene, Rhonda Thompson, Shaun T. Lally, Erik Munroe, Michelle Bennett and the members of F.O.R.S.E.S (Food policy, Outreach, Research, Sustainability, Education & Special Projects) are encouraging locals to seize this opportunity to get involved in the future of Manitou's food production and consumption. The storefront location at 116 Canon Avenue, will be open to the public officially April 1, 2014.

To encourage the support of local members of the community Local First Grocer is reaching out with their Kickstarter movie and will be canvassing about town and online to reach as big of a populace as possible. Business and other organizations who could benefit from the recirculation of our food dollars will be encouraged to join in and anyone in particular who holds a strong interest in the health and well being of our sustainability as a community at large is also strongly encouraged to spread the word. The message is 'We can’t do it without you and we wouldn't want to.'

About Local First Grocer: Local First Grocer is a grocery store in Manitou Springs, CO, that focuses on providing locally-sourced and organic food to the Manitou Springs community; (tourists included). Founded in 2013 and set to open in April 2014, Local First Grocer has taken the initiative on bringing the local food movement to Manitou. This initiative was in-part a result of Rothman’s involvement in Transition Manitou Springs as the newly appointed director. Transition Manitou focuses on moving the community towards a low-impact lifestyle, one free from dependence on fossil fuels. Local First Grocer is a critical component of Manitou’s progression towards a more sustainable future. The store is known to its supporters for innovation and health-economy consciousness. The store opening has attracted a lot of attention and excitement.